Ski lift



Jan. 8, 1952 Filed April :5, 1

s. s. HUNTINGTON SKI LIFT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. Samuel Sterling Huntington m 2 V i ATTORNEYS 1952 s. s. HUNTINGTON 2,582,201

SKI LIFT Filed p l 5, 1948 e Sheets-Sheet 2 X o k5) FIG. 4

INVEN TOR. Samuel Sterling Humingfon 1952 s. SJHUNTINGTON 2,582,201

SKI LIFT Filed April 3, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR. Samuel Sterling Hunfingfon ian (1h ATTORNEYS Jan. 1952 s. s. HUNTINGTON 2,582,201

SKI LIFT Filed April 3, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORZ' Samuel Sferling Hunfmgton h iwmvmw ATTORNEYS 1952 s. s. HUNTINGTON 2,582,201

SKI LIFT Filed April 3, 1948 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. Samuel Sterling Hunfingfon ATTORNEYS Jan. 8, 1952' s. s. HUNTINGTON 2,582,201

SKI-LIFT Filed April 3, 194s e Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.- l3

' INVEN TOR. Samuel Sterling Huntington BY ofw+ MW ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKI LIFT saints! Humingwii, mate Springs, 0010. Application April 3, 1948, Serial No. 18,742

Seniors. (oiiio i'va) inns invention remiss ts chair lifts, and mo e particularly to a continuously operating ski lift having chairs, each of which carries a plurality of sd sa In ascending from the lower to the upper portion of a ski run or ski course, skiers have been transported in various ways, A rope tow, which includes an endless rope moved by a suitable power device, such as a motor or engine adapted to rotate a drive pulley at one end of the pat of the rope, is unduly tiring because the. skier lnustgrasp the rope with one or both hands and be pulled upwardly on his skis. Acable or similar car, running on trackswhich car holds a plurality of persons, is very expensive and involves considerable delay in loading and unloading. Also, the power must be stopped, or the' car disconnected therefrom, for both loading and unloading. A T-ba r tow, which includes a plurality of pulling elements comprising essentially hooks depending from a moving. cable, is also unduly tiring, as well as conducive to accidents, since the skiers, are again pulled along ontheir skis. Irregularities in the path or a ski accidentally swung out of position ay cause one or more skiers to be drag ed along for a considerable distance in a relatively uncomfortable or even dangerous position, or may cause skiers behind to be pulled into a skier who may accidentally have lost the T-bar. Chair lifts, wherein the skier sits in a chair suspended from a cable and is lifted uphill to a point of discharge, at which point the cable turns around a large pulley for return downhill, have been limited to chairs which are capable of carrying only one person. Such a chair lift, of course, has only one half the capacity of a T-bar tow, which pulls two skiers with each T-bar, and a single chair also does not permit the companionship of the dual capacity T-bar v I Previou to the present invention, it was bee lieved that a chair lift for skiers could be oper ated. successfully only with chairs accommodating a single person, since the problemsinvolved in loading and unloading, as well as other difficulties, were believed insurmountable.

Amon'gthe objects of the presentinvention are to provide a novel chair lift, particularly adapted to be used as a ski lift; to provide such a lift having chairs, each of which is capable of carrying apluralit'y of persons; to provide such a, chair lift by which loading and unloading a plurality of passengers simultaneously can be accomplished successfully; to provide such a ski lift which may include an llnlOQding, station for 2 discharge of skiers with ease and safety; to provide such a ski lift which requires that the skis touch the ground only at the loading and unloading stations; to provide such a lift which can be operated at a relatively rapid rate; to provide such a liftwhich provides adequate support for a large number of persons; to provide such a lift which can be made substantially any length desired; to provide such a lift whichcan be successfully operated on gentle or steep slopes, or combinations thereof; to provide a novel supporting tower construction particularly adapted for use withsuch a lift; and to provide additional novel features and advantages, which will become apparent from the following description, takenv in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

, Fig 1 is a terrain profile, on a modified scale,

' illustrating an installation of a chair lift constructed in accordance with this invention and particularly adapted to be used by skiers;

I Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the unloading station of the lift of Fig. 1;

Fig'.{3 is a front three-dimensional view of the unloading station;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a preferred construction of a chair of such a lift, such chair being disclosed and claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 231,784, filed June 15, 1951; p

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of such chair mounted in operating position; v

Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a double pole supporting tower; p

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a single pole supporting tower;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the tower of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is aside elevation,,partly broken away, ofa lower terminal of the lift;

' Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the lower terininal; V I

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken along line ll- H of FTig, 10,; I r

'Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the parts shown inhFig. 11; and

Fig 13 is a side elevation of an upper terminal of the lift. p p r i A chair lift constructed in accordance with this invention may be installed on substantially any type of terrain, such as that illustrated in profile in 1. As shown, the lift extends from a lower terminal L to an upper terminal U, the actual terrain on which such profile is based being relatively steeper than shown in the drawing, but the relation between the slopes of the various portions of the terrain being generally similar to that shown. Thus, the terrain may include a portion Iii of lesser slope or steepness, adjacent the lower terminal L, next a portion II of greater slope or steepness, and then a longer portion I2 of lesser slope or steepness, leading to the upper terminal U. As also shown in Fig. 2, the lift includes a plurality of chairs C, suspended for movement along a stationary or supporting cable i4, the chairs being attached to and moved by a drive cable 85. The supporting cable I4, in turn, is mounted between the terminals on a plurality of towers T and T, described later, each tower T being a single pole supporting tower, and the tower T bein a double pole supporting tower, installed at a breakover point, such as when the slope of the terrain decreases at the tower, as between the portion I l of greater slope and the portion I2 of lesser slope. The supporting cable I4 is preferably disposed at a sufficient distance above the ground or terrain level so that, from the time the passengers, such as skiers, leave the lower terminal L until they reach the unloading station S, the skis will merely hang beneath the chairs C. Thus, it is unnecessary for the passengers to guide the skis, as in the case of a rope tow or T-bar tow.

In accordance with this invention, and to permit the chair lift of this invention to be utilized as a ski lift, a special unloading station S is provided adjacent the upper terminal U, the unloading station S bein specially constructed and including a snow ramp I6 having a special shape, the snow covering an earth ramp or a wooden framework I'I having sides I8 and inclined at each end. Preferably, a tower T is located at the unloading station, to minimize the sag in the supporting cable I4 at the unloading station, and snow is placed on the framework I! to a suitable depth so that the desired profile will be obtained. The top IQ of the snow ramp I6 is preferably at an elevation such that the distance between it and the bottom of a loaded chair C will be somewhat on the order of sixteen to eighteen inches. The rear side of the snow ramp I6 has an upward slope 25, preferably so inclined that the skis of the passengers will engage the slope 20 slightly below the top, as when traveling along the ski approach, dotted line 24. As the skis engage the snow at the unloading station, the skis will naturally ride up onto and over the top I9, and as the passengers arise from a seated position in the chair C, the skis will move across the top I9 at not less than the same and normally a greater rate of movement than the chair, since in arising from the chair C, as in Fig. 3, the backward thrust against the chair during such rising movement gives increased impetus to each passenger, so that at the moment the passengers leave the chair, the skis will tend to be traveling at a slightly faster rate than the chair.

As an important feature of this invention, which contributes greatly to the ability to unload successfully two skiers simultaneously from the same chair, the snow ramp I6 at the unloading station also has a relatively steep forward or unloading slope 2|, which extends downwardly to the level of the terrain at a point 22, the elevation of the supporting cable I4 above the point 22 being such that the chair C will pass above the passengers who have just left the chair and moved down the slope 2| to the terrain point 22.

Also, the relatively steep pitch of forward slope 2! of the snow ramp causes an increase in the speed of the passengers, as they ski down the the side and be out of the way before the chair reaches a point above the terrain point 22, and this increased speed down slope 2| also increases the ability of the passengers to clear the way for succeeding passengers. If there were only one passenger in the chair, it would be relatively simple for this passenger to ski off to one side, thus completing the unloading operation. However, with two passengers in each chair, the passenger on the outside can ski off to the outside, but the passenger on the inside has a greater dis tance to travel before he can move out of the way of the chair which he has just left. Since the chair passes above the passengers at this point. each has plenty of time to ski off to the outside to make room for the next pair of passengers on the succeeding chair. It will be evident, of course, that both passengers may ski oif to the inside, passing under the descending chairs, or that one may ski off to the outside and the other to the inside. In any event, it will be evident that the unloading station of this invention is not merely a ramp having a downward slope to permit the passengers to leave the chair at an increased speed, but comprises the combination of such a ramp with a supporting cable for the chair mounted at a sufiicient height that the chair will pass above the passengers when they reach the the terrain point. It will also be understood that all or a portion of the ramp at the unloading station may be natural terrain, or terrain easily graded, and that the approach slope of the unloading ramp may be sloped so that the skis of the passengers touch snow at a point considerably before that shown in the example described.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, each chair C constructed in accordance with my invention and disclosed and claimed in my divisional applica-- tion Serial No. 231,784, includes a box-shaped support, preferably formed of tubular members. having sides 25, a top 26 and a bottom 22. The chair seat may be formed by a plurality of flat cross members or slats 28, extending between the front and rear tubes of a tubular box frame 29 and attached thereto by welding or the like. A wooden slab, or a leather covered pad or the like, may be placed on or attached to the seat to reduce the discomfiture of passengers who would otherwise sit on cold metal. The point of attachment of the chair seat to the support is preferably toward the front edge, as in Fig. 4, so that the center of gravity of the passengers will tend to be slightly to the rear of the support. Also,

-' a back 30 for the chair, which may include cross members installed in somewhat the same manner as the slats 28, is preferably tipped rearwardly at a slight angle to the support sides 25, so that the passengers will be seated comfortably. but tipped slightly rearwardly and thus remain securely in the chair during transportation. The chair may also be provided with sides 3i, formed of tubular pieces. The various pieces forming the chair are preferably welded or brazed together to form a substantially integral structure, which, because of its being formed primarily of tubular pieces, is strong yet relatively light in weight.

The top bar 26 of the chair support is attached to an upwardly extending link 32 having at its upper end a fork 33 adapted to pivot about a pin 34, thereby permitting the chair to maintain the same generally vertical position, irrespective of the inclination of the supporting cable I4. Link 32 may be round or tubular and provided with a 5 roller 35, for engaging a guide bar at the termin'a'ls, as described later. Pit 3 4 is mounted on the lower end oi a preferably tubular, supporting and drive hanger 36, the upper end of which is provided with a laterally extending bracket 31,011 whichis mounted a pair of rollers 36, in tandem, which move along'the supporting cable l4, and which may be rubber lined to provide smoothness in operation. Each hanger 36 is also attached centrally to drive cable l5, as by a "clamp I or U-bolt 39, the chair thereby being attached to the drive cable and moving with the drive cable as it circumnavigates the tow.

In further accordance ,with my invention of application Serial No. 231,784, as illustrated in Fig. 5,'the link 32 is attached to the top bar 21 o'f the chair support in an oiT-center'position, as

by welding thereto and to reinforcing braek'ets, as shown, so that the center of the chair seat will lie directly beneath the supporting cable 14. This 2;-

insures that the chair seat will remain in posi tion when two passengers are being carried. Also, any chair may be used for carryingonly one person, who preferably sits centrally therein,

although movement of one person to one side oi the chair or the other will not cause an undue sidewise tipping of the chair, because of the relatively long distance between the supporting cable l4 and the chair seat. The cit-center attachment of the chair support to the hanger, and a support extending down both sides to the chair seat, contribute to the facility with which the passengers can be loaded, carried and unloaded.

The towers T and T, as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8, are specially constructed in accordance with this invention. The basic element 01 these towers is an upright, tubular steel pole 46, which may extend vertically or perpendicular to the terrain, and the lower end of which maybe embedded in the terrain, as in a concrete founda tion M. A pair of steel, tubular angle braces 42 is attached at the upper ends, as by welding, to the opposite sides of each pole 40, the lower end of each angle brace 42 also being embedded in the terrain, as in a concrete foundation 43, and

the angle brace extending at a suitable angle, such as 45, upwardly toward the pole. The angle braces 42 may extend directly to each side of the pole 40, i. e. in a plane perpendicular to the cables, or angularly in a downhill direction, 51

as indicated generally in Fig. 1. A pair of cross arms 44, as in Fig. 3, are attached to the top of each pole 40, as by welding, or by welding or bolting to blocks 45, the latter being welded to the poles. perpendicular to the cables, and are attached together at their outer ends by plates 46. Upper cross braces 41 extend angularly from the ends of cross arms 44 to the poles, as in Figs. 6 and 7. Support for the fixed cables I4 is provided by saddles 48, each of which is mounted on a plate 46 at the outer end of a cross arm, and which extend outwardly and upwardly to receive cables 14 in a slot at the outer end. Saddles 46 are preferably rocking saddles, i. e. pivoted on a pin, so as to rock to accommodate local movement of the supporting cable M as each chair approaches, and then passes, a tower. Also, the saddles mounted on the towers along lower slope [6 of Fig. 1 may be provided with hold down clamps, such as U-bolts, since the supporting cable 14 may tend to be raised. thereat due to the configuration of the terrain.

The double tower T, as in Fig. 6, primarily consists of two spaced towers T, with adjustable Cross arms 44 extend transversely, i. e.

tension wire braces 49 and 50 between the poles 4'0 and the cross arms 44, respectively. In addition, compression brace rods 5| extend between the outer ends oi the cross arms and the upper ends of the poles. The tubularpoles and lower braces have been found to be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the relatively heavy "cables and lo'adedchairs, as well as the additional dynamic loads when the tow is in operation. Previously, it was thought necessary to provide complicated structural steel towers, or poles with extensive 'g'uy wires. Thus, the tubular poles and tubular braces provide not only strong, but also considerably simplified towers. Ofcourse, the double towers T involve more parts than the single towers T, but it will be understood that at a breakover point, as where the terrain becomes less steep, there is a concentration of weight and stress, and also a difierent angularity in the direction or pull of the cables from above and below, which requires a stronger structure.

The lower terminal L, as in Figs. 9 and 10, may comprise a framework of structural steel or the like, the front portion being mounted on concrete foundation piers 53, and the rear portion being mounted on rollers 54, to permit adjustment of an idler pulley 560i relatively large diameter which is mounted on a vertical shaft 56, journalled in bearings 57. Drive cable 15 passes around pulley 55, and tension on the drive cable is maintained by a pull produced on adjusting cables '68 by a weight box in a tower 59, shown in Fig. 1, the weight box being filled with stone, sand or other heavy material. The lower ends of supporting cables M are each attached, through a block and tackle unit 60, to an anchor or weight buried within a concrete foundation El, the block and tackle unit 66 preferably consisting of steel cable and sheaves. Tension on each cable I4 is produced by a heavy winch 62, each cable l4 passing over a shoe 63, in alignment with a track which extends from the descending cable l4, around the lower terminal, and to the ascending cable l4. This track inchides two sections, a section 64 mounted on the rear or adjustable portion of the framework and which extends around the idler pulley 55, and a section 65 at each side and mounted on the stationary portion of the framework. Sections 64 and 65 may comprise a bar mounted edge up, or the upstanding edge of an angle, the sections 64 and 65 being mounted side by side and slidable relative. to one another to accommodate movement of the rear portion of the framework, with section 65 being slightly lower than section 64. A guide pulley 66, under which drive cable 15 passes at each side of the terminal, holds the drive cable down as it starts uphill, to force the guiding rollers 38 to stay on the supporting cables I4. The chair track is preferably so constructed, as shownin Figs. 11 and 12, that each chair is lowered slightly as the drive cable passes under pulley 66. Thus, above pulley 66, the upper edge of track section 64 may be provided with a downward incline 61 leading to section 65, while a slightly upwardly sloping transfer member or apron 69 connects section 65 with cable l4. Apron 69 is inverted U-shape and the upper end is clamped on cable 14 while the lower end is bolted or otherwise secured to the forward end of track section 65. As the rollers 38 pass from track section 64 to section 65, the chair is lowered slightly,- and then the chair is raised as the rollers pass along apron 6E!- and onto cable I 4.

During movement of each chair around the lower terminal, the roller 35 onlink 32 engages a rail H, supported in a suitable manner on the outside, as by an overhanging truss or similar structure 12, and adapted to prevent the chairs from swinging outwardly from the desired line of travel. Additional guiding means for the chairs may include a bumper 13, extending horizontally along each side of the lower terminal, or at least on the loading side, to prevent the chairs from being swung sideways by passengers when loading. Bumper 13 may be formed of wood, if desired, and is in position to engage the inner side of the chair support, although a roller similar to roller may be provided on the inner side 25 of the chair support, if desired. Various other parts, such as a fence and hand rail '14, protective sheathing l5, and a platform 16 at the loading station, may be added, if desired, the platform 16, shown in Fig. 9, being covered with snow during use of the lift.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 9, a down slope 11 at the loading station is of some advantage in getting two passengers on a chair simultaneously, although it can be eliminated, if desired. For loading, as soon as one chair has passed, the next couple to be loaded take positions on skis, facing in the direction of movement. As the next chair comes up, the two simultaneously grasp, with the outside hand, the sides 25 of the chair support, and then sit down on the chair seat. When the passengers grasp the sides 25 of the chair support, the chair is tipped rearwardly on pin 34, so that the forward motion of the chair is temporarily lessened, thereby contributing to the ease of loading.

The upper terminal U, as in Fig. 13, comprises a structural framework mounted on concrete foundation piers 53' and provided with a track 64' for carrying the chairs from one cable [4 around to the opposite cable Hi. The upper ter minal U also may be provided with a guide rail H mounted on truss structure 12 for engaging rollers 35, guide pulleys 66 for drive cable l5, shoes 63 for cables l4, and aprons 69 connecting track 64 with each cable M, as well as protective sheathing 15'. Thus, the upper terminal may also be an auxiliary unloading station. Cables M are fixed or anchored at their upper ends, as to a weight or the like embedded in foundation GI, while a relatively large pulley is a drive pulley for cable l5, being mounted on a shaft BI, the upper end of which is journalled in a bearing 82 and the lower end of which is connected by a coupling 83 to a gear reduction unit 84. The gear reduction unit 84 is driven by a motor 85, controlled from the loadin or unloading stations, or both. Pulley 80 is equipped with a band brake 86, operated by a solenoid 81, or in any other suitable manner, so that the tow may be stopped quickly, when desired.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the lift of this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. As will be evident, when two passengers can be carried in each chair, the capacity of the lift is doubled. Also, with successful loading and unloading, the lift can be operated at a speed equal to or greater than that of a T-bar tow. Thus, with the chairs spaced feet apart and a lineal speed of 400 feet per minute, a chair will pass the loading or unloading station each 15 seconds. Since 240 chairs will passthe loading or unloadin station each hour, the capacity of the lift is 480' passengers per hour, the maximum known capacity of a T-bar tow. Furthermore.

the. 15 second interval gives more than ample time for passengers to get into position for loading, and also more than adequate time for a pair of passengers at the unloading station to move away and provide adequate room for the next pair of passengers. In fact, it has been found that the loading and unloading is so successful that the chairs may be spaced only 88 feet apart, so that a chair will pass the loadin and unloading stations every 13.2 seconds, with 300 chairs passing the loading and unloading stations each hour and the capacity of the lift being 600 passengers per hour, an increase of passengers per hour, or 25%. This increase in capacity of 25% is coupled with greater convenience and safety, and a considerably less production of fatigue, than with T-bar tows.

Since the problems of loading and particularly unloading were hitherto thought insurmountable, it is evident that those features which permit the same to be accomplished successfully are of considerable importance. At the unloading station, the combination of a downwardly inclined leaving section with a chair support, such as the cable, sufficiently elevated to pass over the unloading passengers by the time they reach the normal terrain level, is quite valuable. Also, the upwardly inclined approach section of the unloading ramp, as. well as the desired distance between the top of the unloading ramp and the level of the chair seat, are of value. The positioning of a tower at the unloading ramp, which reduces cable sag at that point, also contributes to the successful unloading of a plurality of passengers. The preferred chair construction, which is claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 231,784 and which includes a supportin member for the chair on each side thereof, as well as the offset position of the chair supporting link, and the rearwardly inclined seat, contribute to successful loading and transportation of passengers. The simplified, yet strong, tower construction preferred, are features also of value. It will be evident, of course, that there are additional features of value.

It will also be understood that various changes may be made in the chair and ski lifts of this invention. For instance, other types of chair and tower constructions may be utilized, with an unloading station constructed in accordance with this invention; the terrain profile may vary considerably from the example shown; a single cable may be utilized which drives as well as supports the chairs; and the unloading station may be placed nearer to, farther away from, or on the opposite side of the upper terminal. The unloading station also may be placed at the upper terminal, so that the passengers will leave the chairs just before they pass around the end of the upper terminal, but normally the cost would be increased thereby, since a much higher upper terminal structure probably would be necessary. Also, when the chairs pass closer to the ground level around the upper terminal, inspection of and repairs to the chairs, as well as the drive mechanism, are more readily made. While the chairs are also readily accessible at the lower terminal, two points of ready access usually provide additional convenience.

It will further be understood that other embodiments may exist, and that other changes may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ski lift having means for continuously supporting and moving a plurality of passenger chairs in succession upwardly from a lower terminal to an upper terminal and then downwardly therebetween, an unloading station comprising the combination of a ramp having a. downwardly inclined unloading slope, such downward inclination being in the direction of movement of said chairs, with means for supporting and moving each chair in succession at a distance above said ramp which permits the engagement of the skis of passengers with the upper end of said unloading slope and which also permits the passage of said chairs above said passengers at the lower end of said unloading slope, after exodus of said passengers from said chairs and movement of said passengers down said unloading slope.

2. In a ski lift having means for continuously supporting and moving a plurality of passenger chairs in succession upwardly from a lower terminal to an upper terminal and then downwardly therebetween, an unloading station comprising the combination of a ramp having a top and a downwardly inclined unloading slope, such downward inclination being in the direction of movement of said chairs, with means for supporting and moving each chair in succession at a distance above said ramp which permits the engagement of the skis of passengers with said ramp top and which also permits the exodus of said passengers from said chairs at said top, and the passage of said chairs above said passengers at the lower end of said unloading slope, after movement of said passengers down said unloading slope.

3. In a ski lift having means for continuously supporting and moving a plurality of passenger chairs in succession upwardly from a lower terminal to an upper terminal and then downwardly therebetween, an unloading station comprising the combination of a ramp having an upwardly inclined approach slope and a downwardly inclined unloading slope, with means for supporting and moving each chair in succession at a distance above said ramp which permits the engagement of the skis of passengers with said approach slope, and the passage of said chairs above said passengers at the lower end of said unloading slope, after movement of said passengers down said unloading slope.

4. In a ski lift having means for continuously supporting and moving a plurality of passenger chairs in succession upwardly .from a lower terminal to an upper terminal and then downwardly therebetween, an unloading station comprising the combination 61 a ramp having an upwardly inclined approach slope, a top, and a downwardly inclined unloading slope, with means for supporting and moving each chair in succession at a distance above said ramp which permits the engagement of the skis of passengers with said approach slope prior to said top, the exodus of said passengers from said chairs at said top, and the passage of said chairs above said passengers at the lower end of said unloading slope, after movement of said passengers down said unloading slope, said last mentioned means including a supporting cable for said i0 chairs and a tower for said cable disposed at said ramp to reduce cable sag at said ramp.

5. In a ski lift having meansior continuously supporting and moving a plurality of passenger chairs in succession upwardly from a lower terminal to an upper terminal and then downwardly therebetween, an unloading station comprising the combination of a ramp having an upwardly inclined approach slope, a top, and a downwardly inclined unloading slope, with means for supporting and moving each chair in succession at a distance above said ramp which permits the engagement of the skis of passengers with said approach slope prior to said top, the exodus of said passengers from said chairs at said top, and the passage of said chairs above said passengers at the lower end of said unloading slope, after movement of said passengers down said unloading slope.

6. In a ski lift, .the improvement defined in claim 5, wherein the said approach slope is less steep than said unloading slope.

7. In a ski lift as defined in claim 4, including a plurality of chairs adapted to accommodate two passengers, each said chair including a supporting member having two sides, and a seat mounted on said supporting member between said sides, said sides being adapted to be grasped by the said two passengers during unloading.

8. A ski lift for terrain including a steeper portion below a portion of less steepness, comprising the improvement defined in claim a and wherein said passenger chairs are supported by a cable which is supported by towers, each tower including an upright tubular pole having at its upper end cable supporting means, the lower end of said pole being adapted to be embedded in terrain, and a pair of tubular lower braces extending angularly to said pole and attached thereto at the upper ends thereof, the lower ends of said lower braces being adapted to be embedded in terrain; and wherein the tower at the breakover point where said terrain portions of greater and less steepness adjoin, includes a pair of such poles with braces extending therebetween.

SAMUEL s. HUNTINGTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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